Tablet storage device

ABSTRACT

A tablet storage device includes a frame having a plurality of slots, at least one of which is adapted to hold a tablet. A docking station can be disposed in at least one slot. In some cases the docking station is configured to align a tablet as the tablet is positioned in the slot such that a corresponding port in the tablet aligns with, and connects to, a connector. The frame also has a surface to attach the device to a vertical surface and can have a door that can be moved from an open to a closed position and adapted to retain at least one tablet held within at least one slot when the door is closed. A power supply system and/or a network connection system can be provided with the tablet storage device.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser.Nos. 61/547,257, 61/553,620, and 61/590,032, all three of which areentitled Tablet Mounting Systems and Methods, filed Oct. 14, 2011, Oct.31, 2011, and Jan. 24, 2012, respectively, the contents of each of whichare hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD

This disclosure generally relates to systems, devices, and methods forstoring and networking mobile computing devices, such as tabletcomputing devices.

BACKGROUND

Tablet computing devices, sometimes referred to as tablets, or as tabletcomputers, are generally planar, lightweight devices that include atouch-screen display. Examples include the Apple iPad, Kindle Fire,Motorola Xoom, Samsung Galaxy, Blackberry Playbook, LG Optimus Pad, DellStreak, HP TouchPad, HTC Flyer, and Viewsonic ViewPad. Generally,tablets have a rectangular form factor that may be considered smallerthan a traditional laptop or desktop computer monitor but larger than asmaller electronic device such as a smartphone. For example, in somecases tablets may be about 20 CM to about 30 CM in length, about 10 CMto about 20 CM in height, and about 1 CM in thickness or less, with aweight of between about 400 grams and about 1 KG. Tablets also generallyhave a display panel (e.g. LCD or TFT) with a screen size of betweenabout 15 CM and about 25 CM, and may include a variety of other featuressuch as front and/or rear camera(s), wire or cable connector(s) (e.g.,proprietary, HDMI, USB, audio, charging/power, etc.), and wirelessnetwork connections (e.g., 3G/4G, Wi-Fi). Tablets may also currentlyhave between about 500 MB and about 1 GB of RAM and between about 16 GBand about 64 GB of storage memory.

A typical tablet 108 is depicted in FIGS. 1-2 with an optional fold-overcover 170. As shown, tablet 108 can have any number of tablet ports 164,which can include a power port 168, a USB port 172, a network port 176,in and out audio ports 180, a video port 184 and a proprietary port 188.Of course, not every tablet will have all the tablet ports 164 listed; atablet may have additional ports, more than one of the same port, or atablet may have a proprietary port 188 that provides combined connectivefunctionality which may be equivalent to one or more of the listedports. Likewise, tablets may not have all the tablet ports 164 locatedon a single edge of the tablet.

Given that tablets are generally rectangularly shaped, tablets are thustypically symmetrical when viewed front-on, as shown in FIG. 1. Whenviewed end on, as shown in FIG. 2, some tablets are not symmetricallyshaped about a center line 156. In the example shown, the front face 128is slightly wider than the back plate 152, which results in theasymmetrical feature 192. Tablets can also have many other asymmetricalfeatures, which may also distinguish the front face 128 from the backplate 152 of a tablet when viewed end on, as shown in FIG. 2. Suchasymmetrical features can be in the form of one or more edges that arebeveled, one or more edges that have a larger radius than other edges,or any other asymmetrical feature to distinguish the front from the backwhen the tablet is viewed end on.

Tablet users often choose to cover their tablets with a tablet cover170, as depicted in FIG. 1. As can be appreciated, tablet covers canprotect tablets from dust, abrasions, scratches and the like, however,tablet covers also can change the overall outside linear dimensions of atablet. In addition, as tablets can have asymmetrical features, theaddition of a cover can render such an asymmetrical feature unsuitableor unusable for distinguishing the front face from the back plate of atablet.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of tablet storage devices described herein generally providedevices and systems for storing tablets and related electronic devices.According to one embodiment, a tablet storage device can include aframe, a power supply system and a network connection system. The framehas a surface to attach to a vertical surface for supporting the frameon the vertical surface. The frame also has a plurality of slots. Atleast one of the slots is adapted to hold a tablet, and thus the frameis adapted to hold at least one tablet. The power supply system isconfigured to charge the at least one tablet and the network connectionsystem is configured to provide a network connection to the at least onetablet.

In another embodiment, a tablet storage device includes a frame adaptedto hold at least one tablet, a power supply system to charge the atleast one tablet, and a network connection system to provide a networkconnection to the at least one tablet. The frame can have a surface toattach to a vertical surface. The frame can have a plurality of slotswith at least one of the slots adapted to hold a tablet such that theframe is adapted to hold at least one tablet. The frame can also have atleast one door that can be moved from an open position to a closedposition. The door can be adapted to retain at least one tablet heldwithin at least one slot when the door is in the closed position. Thedoor can be further adapted to permit a portion of at least one heldtablet to be visible to a user when the door is in the closed position.

Some embodiments may optionally provide none, some, or all of thefollowing advantages, features, and/or options, though other advantages,features, and/or options not listed here may also be provided. In somecases the plurality of slots can be arranged in a plurality of rows andat least two columns. The frame can have at least one door that can bemoved from an open position to a closed position. The door can beadapted to retain each tablet held within a row of slots when the dooris in the closed position. A docking station can be disposed in at leastone slot, and the docking station can be configured to align a tablet asthe tablet is positioned in the slot such that a corresponding port inthe tablet aligns with, and connects to, the connector.

In some cases at least one slot can be further adapted to hold a smallelectronic device. At least one door can be further adapted to retainthe small electronic device within a slot when the door is in the closedposition. The frame can have a planar surface that is adapted to bemounted to an upright planar surface. The frame can have a surface thatis adapted to be mounted to a horizontal surface. At least one slot canhave a notched portion to facilitate positioning and removal of atablet. At least one slot can have a surface that is at an anglerelative to a vertical plane. The angle can be substantially between 10and 35 degrees. The frame can have a front compartment positioned underthe slots, and the front compartment can permit access to components ofthe network connection system and components of the power supply system.At least one door can be adapted to be locked.

In some cases, a first docking station can have a connector configuredto align with and connect to a first tablet as the tablet is positionedin the first docking station. The slot can be further adapted such thatthe first docking station can be replaced by a second docking station,where the second docking station can be adapted for use with a secondtablet that is not compatible with the first docking station. In somecases storage slots can optionally have connectors for connecting to thetablets. The tablet storage device can have a network connection systemthat can be adapted to provide a network connection for each tablet thatis connected to one of the connectors. The network connection system caninclude a wireless transmitter.

These and various other features and advantages will be apparent from areading of the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following drawings are illustrative of particular embodiments of theinvention and therefore do not limit the scope of the invention. Thedrawings are not necessarily to scale (unless so stated) and areintended for use in conjunction with the explanations in the followingdetailed description. Embodiments of the invention will hereinafter bedescribed in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein likenumerals denote like elements.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a tablet and a tablet cover.

FIG. 2 is an end view of the tablet of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3A is an electrical block diagram in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 3B is an electrical block diagram in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 3C is an electrical block diagram in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 3D is an electrical block diagram in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 4A is a network block diagram in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 4B is a network block diagram in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 4C is a network block diagram in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 4D is a network block diagram in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of a tablet storage rack inaccordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of a tablet storage rack inaccordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of a tablet storage rack inaccordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 8A is a front perspective view of a tablet storage rack with a doorin an open position in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 8B is a front perspective view of the tablet storage rack of FIG.8A with the door in a closed position in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 9A is a front perspective view of a tablet storage rack with twodoors in an open position in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 9B is a front perspective view of the tablet storage rack of FIG.9A with the doors in a closed position in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 10A is a front perspective view of a tablet storage rack with twodoors in an open position in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 10B is a front perspective view of the tablet storage rack of FIG.10A with the doors in a closed position in accordance with anembodiment.

FIG. 11 is a front perspective view of a tablet storage rack with a doorin an open position in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 12A is a front perspective view of a tablet storage rack with adoor in an open position in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 12B is a front perspective view of the tablet storage rack of FIG.12A with the door in a closed position in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 13A is a front perspective view of a tablet storage rack with twodoors in an open position in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 13B is a front perspective view of the tablet storage rack of FIG.13A with the doors in a closed position in accordance with anembodiment.

FIG. 14 is a front perspective view of a tablet storage rack with twodoors in an open position in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a front perspective cutaway view of a storage slot withconnectors in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a front perspective cutaway view of a storage slot withconnectors in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a front perspective cutaway view of a storage slot withconnectors in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 18A is a front perspective cutaway view of a storage slot withconnectors in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 18B is a top-front perspective cutaway view of a storage slot withconnectors in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 19A is a front perspective view of a front compartment inaccordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 19B is a front perspective view of a front compartment inaccordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 20A is a back elevation view of a tablet storage rack in accordancewith an embodiment.

FIG. 20B is a partial cross-sectional view of the tablet storage rack ofFIG. 20A in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 21A is a perspective view of a tablet storage rack bracket inaccordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 21B is an end view of the bracket of FIG. 21A in accordance with anembodiment.

FIG. 21C is a perspective view of the bracket of FIG. 21A mounted to awall in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 21D is a partial cross-sectional view of a tablet storage rackmounted to the bracket and wall depicted in FIG. 21C in accordance withan embodiment.

FIGS. 21E-21G are perspective views of a tablet storage rack mounted tothe bracket and wall depicted in FIG. 21C in accordance with anembodiment.

FIG. 22 is a front perspective view of a tablet cart in accordance withan embodiment.

FIG. 23 is a back perspective view of a tablet cart frame in accordancewith an embodiment.

FIG. 24 is a front perspective view of a tablet cart in accordance withan embodiment.

FIG. 25A is a front perspective view of a tablet cart in accordance withan embodiment.

FIG. 25B is a front perspective view of the tablet cart of FIG. 25A withmultiple storage modules spaced away from a vertical portion of thetablet cart in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 26A is a front perspective view of the frame of the tablet cart ofFIG. 25A with a tray in a first position in accordance with anembodiment.

FIG. 26B is a front perspective view of the frame of the tablet cart ofFIG. 25A with a tray in a second position in accordance with anembodiment.

FIG. 26C is a front perspective view of a portion of the tablet cart ofFIG. 25A in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 27 is a front perspective view of a tablet cart in accordance withan embodiment.

FIG. 28 is a front perspective view of a tablet cart in accordance withan embodiment.

FIG. 29 is a rear perspective view of the tablet cart of FIG. 28 inaccordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 30 is a front perspective view of a tablet cart wheeled base inaccordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 31 is a top plan view of an internal compartment of a tablet cartwheeled base in accordance with an embodiment.

FIGS. 32A-33B are front perspective views of a storage module in variousconfigurations in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 34 is a front perspective view of two storage modules in accordancewith an embodiment.

FIG. 35 is a front perspective view of two storage modules in accordancewith an embodiment.

FIG. 36A-36C are front perspective views of a storage module inaccordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 37A-37C are front perspective views of a storage module inaccordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 38A-38B are front perspective views of a storage module inaccordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 38C is a top view of the storage module of FIG. 38A in accordancewith an embodiment.

FIG. 39 is a front perspective view of a storage module in accordancewith an embodiment.

FIG. 40 is a front perspective view of a storage module in accordancewith an embodiment.

FIG. 41 is a front elevation view of a storage module in accordance withan embodiment.

FIG. 42 is a top perspective view of a docking station in accordancewith an embodiment.

FIG. 43 is a rear perspective cutaway view of a storage module inaccordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 44 is a top perspective cutaway view of a storage module equipmentbay in accordance with an embodiment.

FIGS. 45-47 are schematic views of connector arrangements for a tabletstorage cart in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 48 is a rear perspective view of a tablet cart with a groundingsystem in accordance with an embodiment.

FIGS. 49A-49B are schematic views of a locking arrangement for a tabletcart in accordance with an embodiment.

FIGS. 50A-50B are front perspective views of a locking arrangement forstorage modules in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 51A is a front perspective cutaway view of a locking arrangementfor a tablet cart in accordance with an embodiment.

FIGS. 51B-51C are side views of a locking mechanism of the lockingarrangement of FIG. 51A in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 51D is a side cross-sectional view of the locking arrangement ofFIG. 51A in accordance with an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description is exemplary in nature and is notintended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of theinvention in any way. Rather, the following description provides somepractical illustrations for implementing exemplary embodiments of thepresent invention. Examples of constructions, materials, dimensions, andmanufacturing processes are provided for selected elements, and allother elements employ that which is known to those of ordinary skill inthe field of the invention. Those skilled in the art will recognize thatmany of the noted examples have a variety of suitable alternatives.

Embodiments described herein provide systems, devices, and methods forstoring and/or transporting and/or charging and/or networking one ormore tablet computing devices. As discussed above, tablet computingdevices are well known and are also referred to herein as tablets. Ingeneral, a tablet is a mobile computer, typically integrated into a flattouch screen and primarily operated by touching the screen, oftenincluding an onscreen virtual keyboard, rather than using a physicalkeyboard. The form factor of a tablet offers a more mobile way tointeract with a computer. Typically, tablets have a battery that needsto be periodically charged, software that may need to be periodicallyupdated or maintained, and data that may need to be backed up from, ortransferred to the tablet.

Some embodiments provide a tablet storage device in the form of a tabletcaddy for storing, transporting, charging, and/or networking one or moretablets. Tablet caddies and other tablet storage devices, can beprovided with various physical configurations and features, as will beappreciated from this detailed description. As will be discussed indetail below with reference to FIGS. 5-14, in some embodiments, a tabletcaddy includes a tablet storage rack adapted to hold a plurality oftablets in a corresponding plurality of slots. Such embodiments can beconsidered generally stationary, as they are generally adapted to besupported by a stationary surface provided by a wall, a column, a post,a desk, a counter, a floor, or any other desirable support surface. Forexample, a frame for a tablet storage rack may include a surface adaptedto be in apposition to or attached to a vertical surface. In otherembodiments, a tablet caddy can include a tablet cart adapted to hold aplurality of tablets in a corresponding plurality of slots, as will befurther described below with reference to FIGS. 22-51D. Theseembodiments can be considered to be generally mobile, as they aregenerally adapted to facilitate movement of the stored tablets.

Regardless of a particular physical configuration, in some cases atablet caddy can include a power supply system for charging a pluralityof tablets when stored. FIGS. 3A-3D illustrate embodiments of somepossible power supply systems that can be included in any of thegenerally stationary or generally mobile tablet caddy embodimentsdiscussed herein. The power supply system is useful for charging thetablet batteries, and can also be used to power network connectivityequipment such as a wireless access point or a wired router, which arediscussed below. In some cases, the power supply system is locatedinternally to the caddy and not easily accessible to users.

In some embodiments, the power supply system can include a power cable324, and a wall plug 328 that extend from a caddy 100 to a wall outlet,as depicted in the block diagram of FIG. 3A. Such embodiments of thepower supply system can be included in any of the generally stationaryor generally mobile tablet caddy embodiments discussed herein.

In some embodiments, the power supply system can include a power cable324 that extends from the caddy 100 to form a junction with a buildingpower-supply wire, as depicted in the block diagram of FIG. 3B. Suchembodiments of the power supply system can be included in any of thegenerally stationary tablet caddy embodiments discussed herein.

Embodiments of the power supply system convert AC power to DC power andultimately route the power to each stored tablet. In some embodiments,the power supply system includes a timer, or other arrangement, thatcharges a subset of the total number of stored tablets at any one time,and can cycle the subsets until all tablets are substantially fullycharged. Such a timer or other system, is useful for limiting theinstantaneous power draw of the power supply system. In someembodiments, the power supply system can include an auxiliary outlet 292located on the caddy so that other devices, such as accessories, can beconveniently plugged in and provided with AC or DC power.

In some embodiments, the power supply system can include a combinedpower supply 248 which has a plurality of wires 126 that provide powerto each stored tablet, as depicted in the block diagram of FIG. 3C. Insome embodiments, the power supply system can include a plurality ofindividual power supplies 260, each having a wire 126 that providespower to each stored tablet, as depicted in the block diagram of FIG.3D. In some embodiments that use individual power supplies 260, thenumber of tablets that are stored and connected to the power supplysystem can be limited so that the overall combined power demanded fromthe tablets does not exceed the capacity available, either from a directjunction to a building power-supply wire, or from a standard walloutlet.

In some embodiments, a combined power supply such as in FIG. 3C or aswitching system for the embodiment in FIG. 3D can include smartcharging logic that charges only a subset of the connected tablets atone time, according to the charging current demanded by each tablet. Asubset of connected tablets that are being simultaneously charged can bechosen by the smart charging logic when the current draw by the totalnumber of connected tablets that require charging exceeds a presetcurrent level. The subset of connected tablets that are beingsimultaneously charged can be re-calibrated at the start of a set timeinterval, and a new sub-set of tablets can then be selected forcharging, again according to the charging current demanded by eachtablet. Re-calibrating and selecting a new sub-set of tablets forcharging at a set time interval is useful because typically tablets drawcurrent at a high rate until their batteries are charged to 80% of theirfull capacity, and then at that point the current draw is considerablyreduced. Thus the current demands of a given sub-set of tablets variesover time. By re-calibrating and selecting a new sub-set of tablets forcharging at a set time interval, charging efficiency can be maximized.In addition, using this method of regulating the charging of theconnected tablets, the charging logic limits the number of tabletsdrawing power so that the caddy does not exceed the capacity availableeither from a junction with a building power-supply wire, or from astandard wall outlet. The charging logic can be implemented in thecombined power supply 248 in any suitable manner, such as throughhardware/circuitry, software, and/or firmware. U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/174,637, entitled “Electrical Load Management System andMethod,” filed Jun. 30, 2011, describes systems and methods for suchelectronic load management and is incorporated herein by reference inits entirety.

In embodiments where the power supply system of the caddy includes awire that is directly connected to a building's power-supply wire, asdepicted in FIG. 3B the connection to the building's power supply can beadapted so that the overall power available to the power supply systemis greater than what would be available from a standard wall outlet. Asa result, for these embodiments, a greater number of tablets can becharged at the same time, as compared to those embodiments that use astandard wall outlet, as depicted in FIG. 3A.

An embodiment that uses a standard wall outlet connection, as depictedin FIG. 3A can use either the combined power supply, as depicted in FIG.3C, or it can use individual power supplies as depicted in FIG. 3D.Likewise, an embodiment that uses a wire directly connected to abuilding's power-supply wire, as depicted in FIG. 3B can use either thecombined power supply as depicted in FIG. 3C, or it can use individualpower supplies as depicted in FIG. 3D.

As depicted in the block diagrams of FIGS. 4A-4D, a network connectionsystem can be provided for connecting a plurality of tablets to anetwork such as the Internet and/or a Local Area Network. Suchembodiments of the network connection system can be included in any ofthe generally stationary or generally mobile tablet caddy embodimentsdiscussed herein. In some cases, the network connection system is storedinternally within the caddy and is not easily accessible to users.

In some embodiments, as depicted in the block diagrams of FIGS. 4A-4D,the network connection system can include a device for the caddy tocommunicate with a network. In some embodiments, this device can includea cable 240 extending from the caddy 100, as depicted in FIG. 4A. Insome embodiments, the caddy can include a wireless receiver 118 thatallows the caddy to communicate with the network, as depicted in FIG.4B.

In some embodiments, as depicted in the block diagrams of FIGS. 4C-4D,the network connection system can include a device for the caddy tocommunicate with a plurality of tablets. A network connection from thecaddy 100 to a plurality of stored tablets can include a wiredconnection to each tablet, as depicted in FIG. 4C. This can include awired router 436 and individual wires 122 to each of the stored tablets.As depicted in FIG. 4D, a network connection from the caddy 100 to aplurality of tablets can include a wireless transmitter 232, such as aWi-Fi access point, which can also be referred to as a Wi-Fitransmitter, a Wi-Fi router, or by other similar terms. A wirelesstransmitter can provide wireless access to a network, which can be usedby stored tablets, and by tablets that are in use by a user within theoperating radius of the transmitter. Of course wireless technology otherthan Wi-Fi is also possible, depending on the preferences of a user, thecapabilities of the tablets, and the wireless protocols that arecommercially available, or in use.

An embodiment that uses a wired connection to a network, as depicted inFIG. 4A can use either a wired connection to the tablets, as depicted inFIG. 4C, or it can use a wireless connection to the tablets, as depictedin FIG. 4D. Likewise, an embodiment that uses a wireless connection to anetwork, as depicted in FIG. 4B can use either a wired connection to thetablets, as depicted in FIG. 4C, or it can use a wireless connection tothe tablets, as depicted in FIG. 4D. Thus, either by a wired, awireless, or some combination of wired and wireless connections,embodiments of the caddy can allow for communication between each storedtablet and a network. Such connections are useful for providing softwareupdates to the tablets; uploading data to the tablets; downloading datafrom the tablets; and/or backing up data from the tablets when they arenot in use. Of course, a wireless connection from the caddy to thetablets can also additionally allow for communication between a networkand each tablet, while each tablet is in use, and within the range ofthe wireless connection.

Turning now to FIGS. 5-14, some embodiments providing a generallystationary tablet caddy will now be described. (As will be discussed,such embodiments can in some cases utilize a power supply system such asone of those described above with respect to FIGS. 3A-3D and/or anetwork connection system such as one of those described above withrespect to FIGS. 4A-4D.) According to some embodiments, a stationarytablet caddy generally includes a tablet storage rack adapted to hold aplurality of tablets in a corresponding plurality of slots. When stored,each tablet can be individually accessed for storage or retrieval, e.g.,without disturbing other tablets that may also be stored. In someembodiments connector(s) useful for connecting a stored tablet to apower supply system and/or to a network connection system are disposedin one or more of the slots. In some cases the connector(s) may bepigtail connection connectors or docking station connectors, which willboth be described in greater detail below. A tablet storage rack can beconfigured to hold as many tablets as desired. For example, in somecases a rack may hold one, ten, twenty, thirty, fifty, or any number oftablets greater or less.

Stationary tablet caddy embodiments can be considered generallystationary as they are commonly adapted to be supported by or mounted toa stationary surface. For example, a frame for a tablet storage rack mayinclude a surface adapted to be in apposition to or attached to anothersurface, such as a stationary support surface. Examples of suchstationary surfaces can include vertical surfaces, horizontal surfaces,and surfaces at other angles, including surfaces of a wall, a column(which can have, for example, a circular, oval, square, rectangular orirregular cross-sectional shape), a post, a desk, a counter, a floor anda ceiling.

The plurality of slots of a tablet storage rack can be generallyconfigured to hold a plurality of corresponding tablets. For example,each slot in a tablet storage rack may be configured to receive andstore one tablet or optionally two or more tablets depending upon theparticular physical implementation. In some cases one or more slots mayinclude one or more connectors for connecting to a tablet receivedwithin the slot(s) as mentioned above. Thus, in some cases the slots maybe referred to as storage slots, connection slots, and/or storage andconnection slots. While certain embodiments of tablet caddies aredescribed herein as specifically including storage slots, connectionslots, and/or storage and connection slots, it should be appreciatedthat in many cases these terms are used interchangeably and manyvariations of slot configurations can be utilized, includingconfigurations in which none, one, some, or all of the slots in a tabletcaddy have connectors for connecting to a tablet received within aparticular slot.

In some cases storage and/or connection slots can be arranged in asubstantially vertical orientation in a frame such that tablets can bestored in a substantially vertical orientation. Storage and connectionslots can include any shape that is useful for holding a tablet in sucha generally vertical orientation, which can include holding a tablet onone of its four edges (the top, bottom, left and right edges when thescreen of the tablet is viewed). Tablets can also be held at a slightangle to a vertical, which can range from about 10 degrees to about 30degrees from vertical.

One embodiment of a stationary tablet caddy including a tablet storagerack 151 is depicted in FIG. 5. As shown, the rack 151 has a frame 124which includes six connection slots 112, with five tablets 108 depictedas stored in the rack. The rack 151 also includes a front compartment228, which will be described in further detail below. Tablet storageracks can include any desirable number of slots 112 (e.g., from one tomany). Another embodiment of a tablet storage rack 153 is depicted inFIG. 6 which shows a rack that has a frame 124 which includes threeconnection slots 112. Three stored tablets 108 are shown placed in therack. The rack 153 also includes a front compartment 228.

FIG. 7 depicts an embodiment of a tablet storage rack 155 that has aframe 124. The frame 124 includes eight connection slots 112 that areconfigured in two rows and four columns, with two slots 112 per column.Vertical dividers 220 are provided between each adjoining column ofslots. The rack 155 also includes two front compartments 228, and isshown with seven tablets 108 stored in the rack. Thus referring to FIGS.5, 6 and 7, it should be appreciated that tablet storage racks caninclude various configurations of slots, including generally verticaland generally horizontal configurations, with different numbers of rowsand columns of slots depending upon the design requirements for aparticular implementation.

FIGS. 8A-8B illustrate an embodiment of a tablet storage rack 157including a locking door. Rack 157 has a frame 124 which includes fiveconnection slots 112 and a door 132 with a lock 134. FIG. 8A depicts thedoor in an open position, which allows loading and removing of tabletsfrom the slots 112. FIG. 8B depicts the door in a closed position, whichwhen locked secures the tablet storage rack 157 to prevent removal oftablets from the slots 112. The door 132 can be designed to open andclose in any usual manner, for example, by hinges, sliders, rollers, andthe like. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 8A-8B, the door 132 isadapted to slide from the open to the closed position. The rack 157 alsoincludes a front compartment 228.

FIGS. 9A-9B illustrate another embodiment of a tablet storage rack 159that includes doors configured to close at least partially over tabletsstored within the rack 159. The tablet storage rack 159 has a frame 124which includes eight connection slots 112, and two doors 133. The slots112 are configured in two rows and four columns, with two slots percolumn. Vertical dividers 220 are provided between each adjoining columnof slots. The rack 159 also includes two front compartments 228. Rack159 is depicted with four tablets 108 stored in the rack. FIG. 9A showsthe rack 159 with the two doors 133 in an open position, and FIG. 9Bdepicts both doors 133 in a closed position. Each door 133 is adapted torotate about a substantially horizontal axis from the open to the closedposition. As shown, the bottom door 133 is configured to rotate up toclose about the bottom row of slots while the top door 133 is configuredto rotate down to close about the top row of slots. Each door 133includes a number slots corresponding to the vertical dividers 220 thatallow the doors to close about the dividers thus providing a more secureenclosure about the tablets 108. While in this embodiment the doors 133are provided as a single bottom door and a single top door, it iscontemplated that any number of doors can be used, including multipletop doors and/or multiple bottoms doors (e.g., one door per slot).

Another embodiment of a tablet storage rack 161 is depicted in FIGS.10A-10B. Rack 161 has a frame 124 which includes five connection slots112 and two doors 132, each door with a lock 134. FIG. 10A depicts thedoors 132 in an open position, and FIG. 10B depicts the doors 132 in aclosed position. The doors are adapted to slide from the open to theclosed positions. Rack 161 also includes a front compartment 228.

FIG. 11 depicts another embodiment of a tablet storage rack 163 that hasa frame 124 which includes four connection slots 112 and a door 132 witha lock 134. In this embodiment the dividers in the storage rack formingadjacent slots 112 include a notched portion 216. In some cases thenotched portion 216 can facilitate placing a tablet into a slot 112, andaccessing and retrieving a tablet that has been stored in a slot. FIG.11 depicts the door 132 in an open position. In this case the door 132is adapted to slide from an open to a closed position. The rack 163 alsoincludes a front compartment 228.

Another embodiment of a tablet storage rack 165 is depicted in FIGS.12A-12B. Rack 165 has a frame 124 which includes six connection slots112 and one door 135 with a lock 134. FIG. 12A depicts the door 135 inan open position, and FIG. 12B depicts the door 135 in a closedposition. The door 135 is adapted to rotate about a substantiallyvertical axis from the open to the closed position. The rack 165 alsoincludes a front compartment 228, and is depicted with five tablets 108stored in the slots 112. FIGS. 13A-13B illustrate another embodiment ofa similar tablet storage rack 167 that includes two doors 135. Each ofthe two doors 135 has a lock 134 for securing tablets within the storagerack 167. FIG. 13A depicts both of the doors 135 in an open position,and FIG. 13B depicts both doors 135 in a closed position. The doors areadapted to rotate about a substantially vertical axis from the open tothe closed positions. The rack 167 also includes a front compartment228.

FIG. 14 illustrates another embodiment of a tablet storage rack 169having a frame 124 which includes six connection slots 112. Each of theconnection slots 112 of rack 169 is adapted to hold a tablet 108 and asmall electronic device 264 in a manner that will be described ingreater detail below. Rack 169 is provided with two doors 135, each ofthe two doors 135 with a lock 134. Rack 169 is depicted with fivetablets 108 and five small electronic devices 264 stored in the slots112. Each of the doors 135 are adapted to rotate about a substantiallyvertical axis from open to closed positions. Rack 169 also includes afront compartment 228.

Thus, a tablet caddy can be a tablet storage rack that can be configuredas a type of cabinet that in some cases can have doors to retain thetablets in place within the slots. A tablet storage rack can be mountedto a wall or other vertical surface, or can be mounted to a counter orother horizontal surface and can be configured to hold as many tabletsas desired. In some embodiments, the rack can hold at least ten tablets.In other embodiments, the rack can be configured to hold between ten andforty (for example, between twenty and thirty) tablets and can include acorresponding number of connection slots.

As mentioned above, in some embodiments, connector(s) useful forconnecting one or more stored tablets to a power supply system and/ornetwork connection system are disposed in one or more of the slots. Suchconnector(s) can be applicable to one or all of the embodimentsdescribed herein. FIGS. 15-18B provide perspective cutaway views of anumber of storage slots with various connector configurations inaccordance with some embodiments. In some cases connectors can bepigtail connection connectors 144, as shown in FIGS. 15-17, orconnectors 148 that are part of a docking station 160, as shown in FIGS.18A-18B. Each connector can connect an associated tablet with, forexample, the caddy's power supply system and/or network connectionsystem when the tablets are stored and connected. A plurality ofadditional connections are also possible, including, Universal SerialBus (USB) connection, video connection, or any other connection that isdesired and available from a tablet.

In the embodiments that use a docking station 160, the docking stationconnector 148 connects to the tablet automatically as the tablet ispositioned (e.g. pushed in or let down from a vertical position) intothe storage and connection position. Such a system saves significanttime because of the potential number of connections required to connecta plurality of tablets. Further, such a system is user friendly because,in many embodiments, the connections are made near the bottom of theslot 112, which may be hard to access or see by the user. In someembodiments, connector(s) within a slot can be located to one side ofthe storage and connection slot 112, as discussed in greater detailbelow. Further, in some cases connectors may be integrated within atray-shaped docking station that is positioned within a storage slot.Examples of such configurations are discussed below with respect to FIG.42, though are also applicable to embodiments including tablet storageracks.

In some embodiments that use a pigtail connection connector 144,individual storage and connection slots may in some cases be used bymore than one type (e.g., brand and/or model) of tablet, depending onthe compatibility of the connector itself with respect to a particulartablet type. In some embodiments that use a docking station connector148, the docking station 160 along with the docking station connector(s)148 may optionally be removable so that they can be removed and replacedby another docking station 160 that has a configuration and dockingstation connector(s) 148 that are adapted for use with another type oftablet. Similarly, pigtail connection connectors 144 that are adaptedfor a proprietary connector and pin arrangement can be removed andreplaced by another pigtail connection connector 144 that is adapted foruse with another type of tablet, or with a connector that is compatiblewith a variety of tablet types. Such interchangeability is useful if auser has new tablets that are desired to be stored in the caddy, such asin cases where one brand of tablets are being phased out and are beingreplaced by another brand or model.

Continuing with reference to FIGS. 15-18B, storage and/or connectionslots 112 generally include a front wall, a back wall 200, right andleft side walls 204, 208 respectively, and a basal wall 212 (FIGS.15-18B are illustrated with the front wall of the slot removed so thatthe viewer can see into the slot). Of course, the front wall 196 and theback wall 200 of two adjoining slots can be the two opposite sides of asingle member of the frame 124 structure.

In some embodiments, the front wall of a slot can be in an overlappingconfiguration with the front wall of an adjacent slot in order tooverlap at least a portion of the tablets when stored. Thisconfiguration can reduce the vertical footprint of the caddy. In someembodiments, the front wall can be angled 10-35 degrees from the backwall. In certain embodiments, it may be desirable to have at least someportion of the tablet screen visible to a user while the tablet is heldin the tablet storage rack 104, as shown for example in FIG. 7. In someembodiments, as seen in FIG. 11, the front wall 196 of each slot 112 hasa notched portion 216 that can help facilitate a user grasping a tabletwhen placing it into, or removing it from, a slot 112. Factors that canbe important to consider when selecting an appropriate slot size andshape can include: the size and shape of the tablet; the additionalvolume and shape that a tablet cover may add to a tablet, the abilityfor a user to securely grasp the tablet, both when disposing a tabletinto a slot as well as when retrieving the tablet; and how securely atablet will be retained within a particularly sized and shaped slot.

The rack itself can include any suitable configuration. In someembodiments such as those in FIGS. 5-14, the storage rack is adapted tobe attached to an upright surface, such as a wall. Further, embodimentscan incorporate different rack configurations adapted to store tabletsin various column and row configurations. For example, the embodimentsof FIG. 5 shows tablets stored in a one-column by five-row arrangement.In another example, FIGS. 7 and 9A-9B, depict tablets stored in afour-column by two-row arrangement. Other configurations are alsopossible, for example a five-column by ten-row arrangement, or aseven-column by four-row arrangement, or a rack that has a five-columnby three-row arrangement in a top portion of the rack, and aneight-column by four-row arrangement in a lower portion of the rack, orany of a number of other possible row and column configuration. Inembodiments that use multiple column and row configurations, more thanone slot can be provided on each row through the use of verticaldividers 220, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 9A-9B. In some embodiments,vertical dividers 220 can be omitted to provide for greater flexibilityin configuring for the storage of multiple tablet sizes in one rack.

For embodiments that use a docking station 160, the slot can include anyshape useful for automatically guiding the tablet into the slot and foraligning the tablet port(s) 164 to engage with the docking stationconnector(s) 148. Docking station connector(s) 148 can be coated with ahighly conductive material, that can be applied in a relatively thickcoating (for example, 50 microinchs of gold (about 0.00127 mm)) toprotect against wear from repeated insertions. In determiningappropriate slot geometry, consideration of any asymmetrical feature 192can be useful to ensure that the tablet port(s) 164 engage correctlywith the docking station connector(s) 148.

In some embodiments, the docking station has a shape adapted to conformto the tablet, in order to hold the tablet in a desired position. Insome embodiments, the docking station is adapted to support two or moretablet surfaces, and thereby control the orientation of a tablet inorder to establish correct tablet port alignment with the dockingstation connector. For example, a docking station can be adapted to holdthe tablet at an angle from about 10 to about 35 degrees from vertical.In other embodiments, the docking station can use one or more springbiased pressure tabs to ensure correct tablet alignment within thedocking station.

Tablet physical properties, such as an asymmetrical feature 192, as wellas one or more outside linear dimensions (e.g. tablet thickness) can beused by a docking station to correctly align tablet port(s) to thestation docking connector(s). Thus, in certain embodiments, it may bedesirable to adapt the docking stations such that they accept a tabletfor docking with an attached tablet cover. In other embodiments, it maybe desirable to adapt the docking stations such that they accept atablet for docking with, or without an attached tablet cover. Forexample, such a configuration can be achieved through the use of aspring biased docking station connector, that has a beveled leadingedge, and that is adapted to adjust its distance from an alignmentsurface according to the location of the corresponding mating port on atablet. In other embodiments that use pigtail connection connectors 144,tablet covers should not require any special adaptation, as long as thetablet cover does not hinder access to a tablet port, and the overalldimensions of the tablet with the tablet cover attached do not exceedthe interior slot dimensions.

FIGS. 15-18B show various embodiments of pigtail connection connectors144 and docking station connectors 148 within a slot 112. In someembodiments, pigtail connection connector(s) 144 can be used, asdepicted in FIGS. 15-17. As shown in FIG. 17, the pigtail connectionconnectors 144, can enter the slot 112 through the basal wall 212. Insuch configurations, it may be desirable to provide risers 224 so thatthe tablet weight does not rest on the wires coming out of the back ofthe connector, as doing so may eventually lead to a broken wire withinthe pigtail. Of course, the use of risers 224 may not be appropriate inall configurations as doing so would tend to raise the tablet from thebasal wall 212, and thus decrease the effective or usable depth of aslot which may impact how securely a tablet is retained in a slot.

In some embodiments a slot 112 and pigtail can be provided as depictedin FIG. 16. As can be seen, the tablet 108 is disposed within the slot112 on its right side, while the pigtail can enter the slot 112 from theleft side wall 208. In other embodiments, a docking station connector148 may be located on one of the side walls 204, 208. In such anembodiment, as depicted in FIG. 18A, storing and connecting a tablet 108in a caddy 100 would require disposing a tablet 108 within a slot 112and sliding the tablet 108 to the left in order to engage the tabletport(s) 164 with the docking connector(s) 148. Again, as with otherembodiments that make use of a docking station 160, the slot can includeany shape useful for automatically guiding a tablet 108 into properalignment so that the tablet port(s) 164 engage with the docking stationconnector(s) 148. In the case of this embodiment the slot shape must beadapted so that the tablet port(s) 164 engages with the docking stationconnector(s) 148, the when the tablet 108 is moved to the left, ratherthan in other embodiments that make use of a docking station 160 wherethe tablet port(s) 164 engage with the docking station connector(s) 148when the tablet is placed into the slot. Of course another embodimentwhere the tablet port(s) 164 engages with the docking stationconnector(s) 148 when the tablet 108 is moved to the right, should beequally apparent.

FIGS. 19A-19B depict some embodiments of an internal configurationwithin the front compartment 228 of the tablet storage rack 104. As canbe seen in the figures, a Wi-Fi transmitter 232 is located within thefront compartment 228 as part of the wireless network connection 236. Acable 240, which is connected to the local area network is alsoconnected to the Wi-Fi transmitter 232.

Alternately, a wired router can be used to supply access to a networkvia cables and network connectors. In this embodiment, which is notdepicted, a wired network router can be located within the frontcompartment 228 in lieu of the Wi-Fi transmitter 232. In such aconfiguration, one cable per tablet would come from the router and beconnected to each tablet 108, either through pigtail connector 144, or adocking station connector 148.

As can also be seen from FIG. 19A (and also referring generally to FIGS.15-18B), a combined power supply 248 can also be provided according tocertain embodiments of the tablet storage rack. In such embodiments, fortablets that are connected to the power supply system 136, the powersupply system provides power to the tablets via the combined powersupply 248. Tablets can be connected to the power supply system througha power connection 252 (either via a pigtail connector 144 or by adocking station connector 148) or through a proprietary port (either viaa pigtail connector 144 or by a docking station connector 148).

In some embodiments, an individual power supply 260 can be provided toeach tablet that is connected to the power supply system. In suchembodiments, as depicted in FIG. 19B (and also referring generally toFIGS. 15-18B), the power supply system provides power to the tablets viathe individual power supplies 260, for tablets that are connected to thepower supply system 136. Tablets can be connected to the power supplysystem through a power connection 252 (either via a pigtail connector144 or by a docking station connector 148) or through a proprietary port(either via a pigtail connector 144 or by a docking station connector148).

As seen in FIGS. 8A-14 and mentioned previously, in certain embodimentsa tablet caddy can have a tablet storage rack provided with one or moredoors that may optionally be lockable. In some embodiments, the door(s)can pivot about a generally vertical or generally horizontal axis, froman open position to a closed position, as shown in FIGS. 12A and 12Brespectively. In other embodiments, a door can slide, or movetranslationally with respect to the frame 124 as shown for example inFIGS. 10A and 10B. For racks that have a multiple column and rowconfiguration, as depicted in FIGS. 9A and 9B, doors can rotate about ahorizontal axis from an open position to a closed position, and can beconfigured to rotate up in order to open, or to rotate down in order toopen, as shown in FIG. 9A. In some embodiments, the door 132 canpartially cover stored tablets such that sufficient air circulation ispermitted around each of the tablets so as to not overheat a storedtablet, while at the same time, adequately covering a tablet so that itcannot be removed while the door is closed. In such embodiments, thedoor does not fully cover the slots or the tablets within the slots whenclosed, such that an uncovered gap exists along the length of the slot.In some embodiments, the door 132 can include vents to furtherfacilitate air circulation.

In some embodiments, as show for example in FIGS. 10A and 10B, optionallocks 134 may also be provided to secure the tablets within the tabletstorage rack 104. In some embodiments, a key (not shown) is retained inthe keyway entry when the keyway is in the unlocked position. In such anembodiment, the key can be used as a handle to open the door from aclosed position to an opened position, which can eliminate the need fora separate handle.

In some embodiments of the tablet storage rack 104, a small electronicdevice 264, such as a cell phone, smart phone, music player (e.g. mp3player), a handheld device, a palm sized device or any other relativelysmall electronic device (e.g. a device that can be held and operatedwith one hand) can also be stored, alone or alongside a tablet. Thesesmall electronic devices 264 can either be simply stored in the rack, orthey can also be charged and/or networked, by adding the appropriateconnectors, according to the general teachings of this disclosure. Asshown in FIG. 14 the small electronic devices 264 can be placed next toa tablet 108 in a slot 112. In some embodiments, small electronicdevices can be placed in the same slot as a tablet, while in otherembodiments, small electronic devices can be placed in separate slots,which can be adjacent to the tablet slots. In some embodiments, a doorcan partially cover stored small electronic devices such that sufficientair circulation is permitted around each stored device (so as to notpromote device overheating) while at the same time, adequately coveringa small electronic device so that it cannot be removed while the door isclosed. In other embodiments, a small electronic device can be fullycovered by a closed door.

FIGS. 20A-21G illustrate one possible manner of attaching a tabletstorage rack to a support surface. A back elevation view of a tabletstorage rack 171 is depicted in FIG. 20A according to some embodiments.The tablet storage rack 171 includes a frame 124 which has a backsurface 174 that can be used to attach the storage rack 171 to avertical surface, such as a wall, for example. In the depictedembodiment, the back surface 174 of rack 171 includes a slot 178 and ahole 182 that can both be used to facilitate attaching the storage rack171 to a vertical surface, as will be described below. FIG. 20B depictsa partial cross section of storage rack 171, according to the crosssectional cut depicted in FIG. 20A. As can be seen from FIG. 20B, insome cases back surface 174 can be a planar surface that can easeattachment of storage rack 171 to an upright planar surface. Slot 178 isconfigured to receive a mounting bracket that can be attached to avertical surface. In this case, slot 178 includes a countersunk portion186 corresponding to the bracket design illustrated in FIGS. 21A-21B.

The bracket 190 illustrated in FIGS. 21A-21B is one example of amounting bracket 190 for mounting a tablet storage rack to a verticalsurface according to some embodiments. The bracket 190 is shown in FIG.21A in a front perspective view, and is shown in FIG. 21B in an endview. Bracket 190 can be fabricated from any suitable material, forexample: a composite such as fiberglass or carbon fiber composites,extruded or molded plastics, or metals. Bracket 190 can be of any shapeor dimension suitable for supporting a tablet storage rack. In thisexample, the bracket 190 includes an angled flange that corresponds tothe countersunk portion 186 of the slot 178 of the tablet storage rack171 shown in FIGS. 20A-20B. Further, the bracket 190 can include anyappropriate number of holes for mounting the bracket 190 to a verticalsupport surface, such as a wall.

FIG. 21C-21G illustrate typical steps, according to some embodiments,that can be followed in order to mount storage rack 171 to wall 202. Thewall 202 can include upright posts 194 as part of the wall framework,and upright posts 194 can support one or more drywall (plasterboard)sheets 198. The bracket 190 can be mounted to the wall 202 with anysuitable fastener, such as a nail or a screw, and depending on theconstruction of the wall 202, one or more anchors or anchoring devicescan be used to secure a fastener to the wall 202. FIG. 21D depicts apartial cross section of storage rack 171 as depicted in FIG. 20B,mounted on bracket 190 and wall 202 according to the cross sectional cutdepicted in FIG. 21C. As can be seen from FIG. 21D, the slot 178 can beplaced over bracket 190 and the storage rack 171 can then be moved downin the direction of the arrow such that the upper portion of the slot,which can include the countersunk portion 186, rests on the bracket 190.This is also illustrated in FIG. 21E which shows the slot placed over,and down onto, the bracket (both the slot and the bracket are hidden inthis view). A fastener 206 can then be inserted through hole 182 inorder to aid in securing the storage rack 171 to the wall 202, as shownin FIG. 21F. FIG. 21G shows the cover replaced on the front compartmentof the storage rack after mounting of the storage rack has beencompleted.

Of course, a tablet storage rack can be supported or suspended off theground or floor by a support beam or other elevated surface in a widevariety of configurations that will be apparent to those skilled in theart. In some cases, one or more types of fasteners may be used to attacha surface of the tablet storage rack to a support surface, such as thebracket and slot configuration discussed and illustrated with respect toFIGS. 20A-21G. As can be appreciated, the frame of a tablet storage rackmay include one or more surfaces that can also be adapted to be inapposition to or attached to another surface that is not planar. Forexample, a back surface can be adapted to be in apposition to a wallthat includes a protrusion, a wall corner, a column, a ledge, a shelf,or numerous other configurations which can have, for example, acircular, oval, square, rectangular or an irregular cross-sectionalshape.

Turning now to FIGS. 22-51D, some embodiments of a tablet caddy canprovide a generally mobile tablet caddy configuration. Thus a tabletstorage device, which can also be referred to as a tablet caddy, canalso include a tablet cart. Features associated with a tablet cart willnow be described.

According to some embodiments, a tablet storage device in the form of amobile tablet caddy generally includes a tablet cart adapted to hold aplurality of tablets within an interior space of the tablet cart, suchas within a corresponding plurality of slots in the interior space ofthe cart. A tablet cart can be useful for transporting and/or storing(e.g., in a temporary location) a plurality of tablets and in some casesmay also be referred to herein as a storage and/or transportation cart.When stored, each tablet can be individually accessed for storage orretrieval, e.g., without disturbing other tablets that may also bestored. In some embodiments connector(s) useful for connecting a storedtablet to a power supply system and/or to a network connection systemare disposed in one or more of the slots. In some cases the connector(s)may be pigtail connection connectors or docking station connectors, bothof which can share configuration similarities with the connector(s) thatcan be included in a tablet storage rack.

A cart can be configured to hold as many tablets as desired. In someembodiments, a tablet cart holds at least ten tablets. In otherembodiments, a tablet cart is configured to hold between ten and forty(for example, between twenty and thirty) tablets. In some embodiments, acart is configured to hold between thirty and one hundred and eighty(for example, between sixty and ninety) tablets, and includes acorresponding number of connection slots. The slot(s) provided by thetablet cart can include any shape that is useful for holding a tabletand in many cases may have configurations and features generally similarto those described above with reference to the generally stationarytablet storage racks.

According to some embodiments, slots in a tablet cart can be groupedwithin one or more tablet storage modules that each define an interiorspace for storing one or more tablets. According to some embodiments, atablet cart may have at least two or at least three or even more tabletstorage modules for storing portions of a plurality of tablets. As willbe discussed herein, several examples are given in which a tablet carthas three tablet storage modules. However, this is just one example andembodiments with less or even more storage modules are possible.

The tablet storage modules are each adapted to hold one or more tabletsin a corresponding number of slots, as will be further described. Tabletstorage modules can be arranged in a variety of ways on a cart anddepending on the cart and module configurations, a variety of connectionembodiments may be available for electronic connection of a networkconnection system and a power supply system to provide power and/or anetwork connection from the respective source(s) to each connectedtablet though the cart and modules.

According to some embodiments a tablet cart may have one or morenon-tablet modules that may be included within a stack of modules on aparticular tablet cart. In some cases non-tablet modules can be used forstoring or housing equipment and items other than tablets. For example,in some cases a module may be dedicated for power supply anddistribution equipment and may be useful for providing power to thetablet storage modules. Another example of a non-tablet module includesa module with networking equipment that provides the tablet storagemodules with network connectivity. In some cases one or more modules maybe included for storing auxiliary and peripheral equipment that may ormay not be used in conjunction with the tablets. In some cases, simpleopen storage modules may also be provided without any internalcustomization or specific hardware, thus providing simple storage unitsalong with the tablet storage modules.

According to some embodiments, a tablet cart can have a frame that caninclude a wheeled base (which can also be referred to as a horizontalportion) and a vertical portion, which can have a handle, as depictedfor example in FIG. 22. According to some embodiments, a tablet cart caninclude a wheeled base without a vertical portion, as depicted forexample in FIG. 28.

Referring generally to FIGS. 22-27, features that can be common to someembodiments of tablet carts that include a wheeled base and a verticalportion will now be described. Such a tablet cart can include a cartframe which has a generally vertical portion and a generally horizontalportion. The cart frame can optionally have an ergonomic handle, andlocking swivel casters. Such tablet carts can also include removablemodules for storing tablets. In some cases the ergonomic handle can beheight adjustable so that users of different physical statures cancomfortably maneuver the cart.

One embodiment of a tablet cart 271 is depicted in FIG. 22. The cart 271includes a frame 276A, which has a vertical portion 278 and a horizontalportion 282. The vertical portion 278 includes a handle 284. As can beseen from FIG. 22, three modules 120A are positioned on the horizontalportion 282 of the cart. The generally horizontal portion 282 is alsoprovided with an open storage compartment 304 and casters 308.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a cart frame 276B according to someembodiments. The cart frame 276B has a vertical portion 278 and ahorizontal portion 282. According to some embodiments, the verticalportion 278 includes an ergonomic handle 284, a display 288, one or moreauxiliary outlets 292, a cooling fan 296 and a provision for cordstowage 300. As depicted, the horizontal portion 282 includes an openstorage compartment 304 and is provided with swivel casters 308. Tabletstorage modules (not shown) can be stacked and supported upon thehorizontal portion 282, similarly to the embodiment of FIG. 22.

In some cases the display 288 can include (a) indications for powerconsumption and/or distribution, which can be displayed as an aggregatefor the cart, or displayed module by module; (b) the temperature withineach tablet storage module (not shown), as well as a temperatureindication for within the cart frame; and/or (c) indications for networkconnectivity. In some cases the one or more auxiliary outlets 292 canprovide pass through power, such that if the cart is plugged into a walloutlet, power can also be provided to the auxiliary outlets 292 in orderto reduce or eliminate the need for additional extension cords that maybe required to power devices, such as a laptop computer, and/or aprojector that are in use on, or near, the cart.

In some embodiments the frame 276B may house one or more electroniccomponents or systems, such as a network connection system or a powersupply system, within an internal compartment of the cart frame (notshown). In order to keep such internal electronic components cooled, afan 296 that either draws air into, or out from, the internalcompartment can be installed on the cart frame in communication with theinternal compartment. One or more cooperating vents can also be providedto enhance air flow into, out from, and throughout the internalcompartment. The power supply system can include a power cable which canterminate on one end in a standard wall plug for plugging into astandard wall outlet. A retractable cord assembly can also be providedwithin the cord stowage compartment, such that the power cable can beretracted into the cart frame when not in use.

Another embodiment of a tablet cart 277 is depicted in FIG. 24.Transportation cart 277 includes a frame 276C, which has a horizontalportion for supporting tablet storage modules 120C, and a verticalportion that includes a handle 284. The horizontal portion also providesan open storage compartment 304 and is attached to casters 308 formobility. The three modules 120C positioned within the frame 276C on thehorizontal portion each include a handle 350. In this case, the modules120C are positioned to face the side of the cart 277 with the handles350 accessible from the sides.

An embodiment of another transportation cart 275 is depicted in FIGS.25A-25B. The cart 275 includes a frame 276D, which has a verticalportion 278 and a horizontal portion 282. The vertical portion 278includes a handle 284. As can be seen from FIG. 25A, three modules 120Dare positioned on the horizontal portion 282. As depicted, thehorizontal portion 282 includes an open storage compartment 304 and isprovided with casters 308. Turning to FIG. 25B, in some cases thehorizontal portion 282 is also provided with a translatable tray 352. Asmay now be apparent from FIG. 25B, the three modules 120D are positionedon the translatable tray 352 of the horizontal portion 282. According tosome embodiments, the translatable tray 352 translates from a firstposition to a second position along with the modules 120D. In the firstposition, a vertical surface of the three modules 120D (e.g., the leftend surface as oriented in FIGS. 25A-25B) is disposed immediatelyadjacent to the vertical portion 278 of the cart frame 276D. In thesecond position, the vertical surface of the modules 120D is spaced awayfrom the vertical portion 278 of the cart frame 276D.

In some embodiments, such as depicted in FIGS. 25A-26C, removablemodules 120D have a generally rectangular footprint, with two ends beingrelatively shorter than the two sides. In some cases like these, themodules 120D have handles (not shown)located on both of the two shortends of the modules 120D. As the modules 120D and the translatable tray352 translate from the first position (FIG. 25A) to the second position(FIG. 25B), the modules 120D move to an extended position that is awayfrom the vertical portion 278 of the cart frame 276D as shown forexample in FIGS. 25B and 26C. As the modules 120D and the translatabletray 352 translate back to the first position, they move to a retractedposition that is closer to the vertical portion 278 of the cart frame276, as shown for example in FIG. 25A. In the retracted position, one ofthe ends of each of the stacked modules 120D abuts the vertical portion278. In some cases, the ends of the modules 120D may also be receivedwithin an opening 285 of the vertical portion 278 as shown in FIGS. 25A,25B, and 26C. This renders the handles located on that end of eachmodule 120D inaccessible to a user. However, once in the extendedposition, a user can more readily access the handles on both ends of themodules 120D in order to lift a module from the cart, or to replace amodule to the cart. Returning to FIG. 24, in some cases such modulehandles may have other configurations. For example, as shown in FIG. 24,tablet cart 277 includes modules 120C having handles 350 that arelocated on the long sides of the modules 120C. In this embodiment, themodules 120C can be stacked on the cart frame horizontal portion withoutthe need for a movable tray.

Another embodiment of a transportation cart is depicted in FIG. 27. Cart279 includes a frame 276E, which has a horizontal portion 283 and avertical portion 281 that includes a handle 284. In this embodiment thehorizontal portion 283 has a cabinet configuration that includes threetablet storage modules configured as extendable drawers 268 within thehorizontal portion 283. The horizontal portion 283 and drawers 268 aresupported by four casters 308 generally positioned near the corners ofthe cart 279. Each of the drawers can be pulled out, and tablets can beremoved from, or deposed into, vertically aligned slots within thedrawers. The casters 308 along the drawer-handle side of the cart 279(i.e. near positions C and D) are attached to the underside of the lowerdrawer 268, so that when the drawer is opened, the casters move topositions A and B. The repositioning of the casters helps prevent thecart 279 from tipping over when the drawers 268 are opened. In somecases, a tab 366 along the upper edge 362 of the lowest drawer can beincluded to prevent the middle drawer from opening unless the lowestdrawer is already open. In this manner, the weight of the middle drawerin the open position is supported by the bottom drawer, and ultimatelyby the casters 308 in the extended position (A and B). Likewise a tab366 along the upper edge 362 of the middle drawer can prevent the topdrawer from opening, unless the middle drawer is already open, and in asimilar manner, the weight of the top drawer in the open position can besupported by the casters 308 in the extended position.

Although not shown in FIG. 27, in some embodiments transportation cart279 can include four casters generally positioned near the corners ofthe cart and two legs. In these embodiments the two casters along thedrawer-handle side of the cart (i.e. near positions C and D) areattached to the underside of the lower drawer, as described above. Thetwo legs can be attached to the cart's frame (e.g., fixedly or movablyattached to the frame to allow engagement and disengagement of thelegs), also near positions C and D. In this configuration, when thelower drawer is opened, the casters near positions C and D move topositions A and B because they are attached to the drawer, while the twolegs remain near positions C and D because they are attached to theframe. Positioning the casters and the legs in this manner helps preventthe cart from tipping over when the drawer is opened, due to the castersthat move with the drawer to positions A and B, while the legs thatremain at positions C and D help prevent the frame from sagging.

In some embodiments, transportation cart 279 may include six casters(not shown) generally positioned near the corners of the cart 279instead of only the four casters 308 shown in FIG. 27. In theseembodiments, four casters are attached along the drawer-handle side ofthe cart: two near position C, and two near position D. Of these fourcasters, two are attached to the underside of the lower drawer (one nearposition C, the other near position D), and two are attached to the cartframe (one near position C, the other near position D). In thisconfiguration, when the lower drawer is opened, two casters remain inpositions C and D, as they are attached to the frame, and two castersmove to positions A and B, as they are attached to the drawer.Positioning the casters in this manner helps prevent the cart fromtipping over when the drawers are opened, while the casters that remainat positions C and D help prevent the frame from sagging.

According to some embodiments, transportation cart 279 can include fourcasters that are attached to the frame (not shown). As the four castersin these embodiments are all attached to the frame, none of the castersmove to positions A and/or B when the lowest drawer is opened.

As mentioned above, in some embodiments, a tablet cart can have a cartframe with a generally horizontal portion that includes a wheeled base,but without a generally vertical portion as described with respect tosome other embodiments. In some cases the horizontal portion is adaptedto hold one or more tablet storage modules in a stacking arrangement. Auser can transport the system by applying a generally horizontal forceto one of the stacked modules, which will transfer the force to anymodule(s) stacked below and to the wheeled base, thus facilitatingmovement of the cart. Several features, discussed in detail below,inhibit the relative horizontal movement of one module with respect toanother, or with respect to the base.

Features that can be common to cart frames that include a wheeled base,but not a vertical portion, can include an internal compartment withinthe wheeled base. The internal compartment can house electroniccomponents, such as a network connection system or a power supplysystem. In order to keep such internal electronic components cooled, afan that either draws air into, or out from, the internal compartmentcan be installed on the wheeled base. One or more corresponding ventscan also be provided to enhance air flow into, out from, and within theinternal compartment.

FIGS. 28-29 are perspective views of one example of a tablet cart 273with a frame having a generally horizontal portion that includes awheeled base 280 but no generally vertical portion. As shown, thewheeled base 280 includes a body 316 that provides a support surface forsupporting one or more tablet storage modules 120E (in this case threemodules) stacked one upon another. The body 316 of the wheeled base 280is also attached to four casters 308 that make the cart 273 rollable. Asmentioned above, despite the lack of a vertical portion of the cartframe, a user can apply a generally horizontal force to one of themodules 120E and thus through the other modules 120E in the stack inorder to impart a horizontal force component upon the wheeled base 280for moving the cart 273.

As shown in FIGS. 30-31, some embodiments of the wheeled base 280 caninclude an internal compartment 312 for housing electronic components,such as a power supply system 136 and/or a network connection system140. A fan 296 can be used to circulate air throughout the internalcompartment 312, and one or more cooperating vents 320 can also be usedto promote efficient air circulation. The power supply system 136 caninclude a power cable 324 which terminates on one end in a standard wallplug 328 for plugging into a standard wall outlet. A retractable cordassembly 332 can be provided within the internal compartment, such thatthe power cable 324 can be retracted into the body 316 when not in use.A recess 336 can be provided so that the plug 328 can be stowed withinthe body 316, such that the plug 328 does not extend beyond theperiphery of the wheeled base 280, and thereby the recess 336 can helpprotect the plug from being accidentally snagged as the cart is beingtransported.

A combined power supply 248 can also be provided according to certainembodiments of the base 280. In such embodiments, the power supplysystem 136 can provide power to the modules through connector 3002, andthrough power distribution within each module, to reach each tablet thatis connected to the power supply system through the connector 3002 aswill be described further with respect to FIG. 47 below. In someembodiments, as described above, the combined power supply 248 caninclude smart charging logic that charges only a subset of the connectedtablets at one time, according to the charging power demanded by eachtablet.

In other embodiments, the power supply system 136 within the base 280does not include the combined power supply 248. Instead, the powersupply system 136 distributes power to each module, and each moduleincludes a combined power supply to distribute power to each connectedtablet.

In the embodiment of the internal compartment 312 depicted in FIG. 31, aWi-Fi transmitter 232 is located within the compartment as part of thewireless network connection 236. A network cable 240 can be providedwhich can be connected to the Wi-Fi transmitter 232 and can be extendedfrom the base so that the network cable jack 344 can be connected to anetwork outlet. A second retractable cord assembly 332 can be providedwithin the internal compartment, such that the network cable 240 can beretracted into the body 316 when not in use. A second recess 336 canalso be provided so that the cable jack 344 can be stowed within theperiphery of the body 316, in a similar manner to, and for the samereason as, for the plug 328. Thus the Wi-Fi transmitter 232 can providewireless access to a network, which can be used by stored tablets, andby tablets that are in use by a user within the operating radius of theWi-Fi transmitter.

Alternately, a wired router can be used to supply access to a networkvia cables and network connectors such as a pig tail or docking stationconnectors as described elsewhere herein. In this embodiment, a wirednetwork router can be located within the compartment 312 in lieu of theWi-Fi transmitter 232. In such a configuration, network signals can betransmitted through cart connector 3002 to the modules, and from there,the network signals can be routed to each connected tablet, as will bedescribed in further detail below. Thus, either by a wired, or by awireless connection, the cart can allow for communication between eachstored tablet and a network.

As can be appreciated, some or all of the components which have beendescribed, or have been depicted in the figures, as being located withinthe internal compartment 312 of the wheeled base 280, can also belocated within an internal compartment of a cart frame with a verticalportion, an example of which is depicted in FIG. 23.

Turning to FIGS. 32A-51D, some features will now be described that maybe applicable to some embodiments of tablet carts that include a wheeledbase and a vertical portion, and also applicable to some embodiments oftablet carts that include a wheeled base without a vertical portion.

As discussed above with respect to several embodiments, tablet carts caninclude one or more tablet storage modules. A tablet storage module canhave an interior space configured to hold one or a plurality of tabletswithin one or more corresponding slots within the module. As an example,a tablet cart configured to hold a plurality of tablets may include twoor more modules, including a first module that defines a selectivelyaccessible first interior space and a second module that defines aselectively accessible second interior space. The first module can havea plurality of storage slots within the first interior space adapted tohold a first portion of the plurality of tablets, while the secondmodule can have a plurality of storage slots within the second interiorspace adapted to hold a second portion of the plurality of tablets.

FIGS. 32A-33B illustrate several views of one example of a tabletstorage module 3200 according to some embodiments. The module 3200generally includes a module body 3202 provided by a top panel, severalside panels, and a bottom panel to generally define an interior space3204 for storing tablets. Within the interior space, the module includesa plurality of storage slots 3206 for storing tablets. In this case themodule body is shaped as a rectangular box, though it should beappreciated that modules are not limited to any particular shape orconfiguration.

According to some embodiments, the interior space of a module may befreely accessible from outside the module, such as through a permanentopening or window in a side of the module. In some cases, a storagemodule may alternately include one or more doors that close upon theinterior space to provide selective access to tablets stored therein. Asshown in FIGS. 32A-33B, one side of the module 3200 includes a doorassembly including two doors 388 that open and close to provide accessto tablets stored within the module 3200. In this case the doors 388include an optional locking mechanism 3208 that allows the doors 388 tobe secured when closed, thus securing any tablets that are stored withinthe module 3200.

Of course, tablet storage modules may optionally include a number ofother features, some of which are described in further detail elsewhereherein. For example, modules may be provided with handles (e.g., handles348 of module 3200) that facilitate easy transport of modules on and offof a tablet cart, may include one or more alignment features (e.g., edgefeatures or surface features 356, protrusion 360, and recesses 364 ofmodule 3200) to facilitate stacking of modules, one upon another, and/ormay include various slot configurations within the modules. As otherexamples, modules may include various types of electrical components(e.g., for a power supply system and/or communication network system)and connectors for connecting tablets and other devices. In addition,while several features have been discussed with respect to module 3200in FIGS. 32A-33B, it should be appreciated that several characteristicsand features of the module 3200 are applicable to a number of differenttablet storage modules. For example, modules such as those describedabove with respect to the tablet carts depicted in FIGS. 22, 24,25A-25B, 26C, and 27-29 may include one or more of the same featuresdescribed with respect to module 3200.

Turning to FIGS. 34-35, in some cases tablet storage modules canoptionally have one or more alignment features as mentioned above thataid in aligning two or more modules stacked together upon a tablet cart.FIG. 34 is a perspective view of two modules 3400 that include alignmentfeatures generally depicted at 3402. In this case the alignment features3402 include multiple protrusions 3404 extending from the bottom side ofone of the modules 3400 and corresponding recesses 3406 within the topside of the other module 3400. The protrusions 3404 and recesses 3406work cooperatively to align the modules 3400 when they are stackedtogether. FIG. 35 illustrates another type of alignment feature 3502incorporated into modules 3500. In this case, each of the modules 3500includes a recess or groove 3504 in its top surface and a correspondingprotrusion or running rib 3506 extending from its bottom surface. As canbe appreciated, the alignment features 3502 of two adjoining modulescooperate to align and retain one module 3500 as it is set down on topof another module 3500.

In some embodiments, a horizontal extension of a tablet cart (e.g., thehorizontal portion 282 of the carts in FIGS. 22-26B) and/or a wheeledbase of a tablet cart (e.g., the wheeled base 280 in FIGS. 28-31) canhave an alignment feature that cooperates with the bottom-most storagemodule to align the bottom storage module on the horizontal portion ofthe cart. For example, as shown in FIGS. 26A-26B, in some cases thehorizontal portion 282 of the cart frame can have an alignment feature2600 in the form of a raised edge that is adapted to mate with orreceive a corresponding feature on the base of one or more storagemodules 120D shown in FIGS. 25A-25B. As another example, the wheeledbase 280 illustrated in FIG. 30 includes an alignment feature 3000 inthe form of a raised edge that is adapted to receive a correspondingfeature, such as a groove or recessed area, on the bottom of one or morestorage modules 120E. Of course protrusions, recesses, and/or othertypes of engaging surfaces that allow for positive alignment may be usedon various surfaces of opposing modules and horizontal portions.

In some embodiments, an alignment feature on the horizontal portion of atablet cart frame can be the same as the alignment feature on eachmodule, such that modules can be stacked in any order on the horizontalportion and thus the cart. In some cases, alignment features can be usedto restrict the possible combinations for ordering and aligning modulesupon a cart. Turning to FIG. 29 for example, in this example thealignment features of two adjoining modules are distinct from those ofother modules, such that only the alignment features of the lowestmodule (indicated as “A”) will engage with the alignment features of thewheeled base. In a similar manner, only the alignment features on thebase of the middle module “B” will engage with the alignment features onthe top of module “A.” Finally, only the alignment features on the baseof module “C” will engage with the alignment features on the top ofmodule “B.” This embodiment can thus be useful for ensuring that tabletstorage modules are stacked in a desired order. In some cases the ordermay correspond to an order in which the modules will be needed, such asin applications where a module will be left for use in one location, andthe other modules will be transported to other distinct locations.

Of course the type and number of alignment features for a given modulemay vary from the particular embodiments illustrated herein. In somecases more or less alignment features may be included or alignmentfeatures having a different type of engagement may be included. In someembodiments the alignment features may include two or more cooperatingsurface features on opposing surfaces of two storage modules or onopposing surfaces of a storage module and a horizontal frame portion. Insome cases one or more alignment features may facilitate stacking ofmultiple modules and aid in transporting the modules and cart togetherby inhibiting relative horizontal movement of one module with respect toanother in some embodiments. As described above, in some cases thealignment feature can be a protrusion or a recess, though these are justsome illustrated examples.

As shown in FIGS. 32A-33B, and in several other depictions of tabletstorage modules herein, in some cases a tablet storage module caninclude one or more doors as part of a door assembly that is configuredto close upon the interior space of the storage module to provideselective access to tablets stored therein. Storage modules may beprovided with any number and/or suitable type of doors, and in somecases may not include any doors. As just a few examples, module doorsmay be sliding and/or hinged (e.g., upwards, downwards, outwardly,inwardly to the side, etc.). In some cases an optional locking mechanismmay be built into a door assembly to allow one or more module doors tobe secured when closed, thus securing any tablets that are stored withinthe module.

FIGS. 36A-38C provide illustrations of three types of possible doorsthat may optionally be incorporated into one or more storage modules ona tablet cart. FIGS. 36A-36C are perspective views of a module 3600 thatgenerally includes a module body provided by a top panel 3602, severalside panels 3604, and a bottom panel 3606 to generally define aninterior space 3608 for storing tablets. The module 3600 also includestwo side pocket doors 3610. The pocket doors 3610 are adapted to pivotoutwards and to the sides, after which the doors can be translatedrearward and stowed within the module body along the sides of themodule, so that they do not interfere with a user's ability to accessthe interior space 3608 of the module.

FIGS. 37A-37C are perspective views of a module 3700 that generallyincludes a module body provided by a top panel 3702, several side panels3704, and a bottom panel 3706 to generally define an interior space 3708for storing tablets. The module 3700 also includes a single pocket door3710. In this embodiment, the pocket door 3710 is adapted to pivotupwards and then translate rearward and stow within the module frame,along the top of the module, so that the door does not interfere with auser's ability to access the interior space of the module.

FIGS. 38A-38C are perspective views of a module 3800 that generallyincludes a module body provided by a top panel, several side panels, anda bottom panel to generally define an interior space 3802 for storingtablets. In this example the module 3800 includes two tambour doors 3804that operate in a manner similar to roll-top doors, but in this caseroll to the side. The doors 3804 include identical extrusions 3806 thattessellate together to form a flexible stowing door. In this embodiment,the tambour doors 3804 are adapted to articulate to the sides, followingupper and lower door tracks 3808, such that the doors are stowed withinthe module body, along the sides of the module in the open position.Configuring the doors in this example, as well as in other examples, tostow inside the module can reduce the likelihood that the doors willinterfere with access to the module interior space and can also helpensure that the footprint of the module does not increase when the doorsare open and the module is in use.

As discussed elsewhere, some embodiments of a tablet cart include one ormore slots within an interior space of a tablet storage module forreceiving and storing one or more tablets. For example, a tablet cartmay include a plurality of storage modules, each having a plurality ofstorage slots within an interior space of each module adapted to hold aportion of a plurality of tablets stored within the tablet cart.

Slots provided by a tablet cart can include any shape that is useful forholding a tablet and in many cases may have configurations and featuresgenerally similar to those described above with reference to thegenerally stationary tablet storage racks. For example, each slot in atablet cart may be configured to receive and store one tablet oroptionally two or more tablets depending upon the particular physicalimplementation. In some cases one or more slots may include one or moreconnectors for connecting to a tablet received within the slot(s) andthus the slots may be referred to as storage slots, connection slots,and/or storage and connection slots. Of course it should be appreciatedthat many variations of slot configurations can be utilized, includingconfigurations in which none, one, some, or all of the slots in a tabletcart have connectors for connecting to a tablet received within aparticular slot.

Storage and connection slots can be arranged in any suitable orientationwith respect to a tablet cart and/or one or more tablet storage modulesassociated with the tablet cart. In some cases, slots can have avertical orientation or a generally vertical or slightly angled fromvertical orientation. For example, a tablet within such a slot can bepositioned in similar orientation to tablets stored in a tablet storagerack. Slots can also be arranged in a horizontal orientation (forexample, a tablet within such a slot can lie flat with the screen eitherfacing up or down), and/or in a generally diagonal orientation (forexample, a tablet within such a slot can be resting on both an edge andeither the screen or the back plate), among other orientations. Asdescribed elsewhere, storage and/or connection slots in a tablet cartcan also be grouped within one or more modules that each define aninterior space for storing a plurality of tablets. In some cases slotsmay be included in modules that are configured as extendable drawers(see, e.g., FIG. 27). In cases like this, each of the drawers can bepulled out, and tablets can be removed from, or deposed into, verticallyaligned slots within the drawers. The slots can be configured in rowsand columns, and the orientation of the rows can either be lengthwise,or widthwise.

Of course, these are just some of the many number of possible types ofconfigurations that may be useful for providing storage and/orconnection slots in various embodiments of tablet carts (as well astablet storage racks, where appropriate), and it should be appreciatedthat many other slot configurations and variations are possible. Forexample, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/025,782, entitled “MobileComputing Device Charging and Networking System and Method,” filed Feb.11, 2011, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 61/303,357, entitled “Laptop Computer Cart,” filed Feb. 11, 2010,describes multiple examples of mobile computing device carts adapted tohold a plurality of mobile computing devices in a correspondingplurality of docking station slots. The disclosures of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/025,782, and U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 61/303,357 are each incorporated herein by reference in theirentirety.

FIGS. 39-41 show several embodiments of tablet cart storage modules thatare adapted or configured to hold up to ten tablets. FIG. 39 shows afront perspective view of one such module 3900 with its doors open toexpose a plurality of storage and connection slots 3902 arrangedhorizontally in a two-by-five array. Other horizontal arrangements ofthe slots 3902 that can hold more or fewer tablets are also possible,and can include more or fewer rows and/or more or fewer columns,depending on the width and height of each tablet and slot as well as theoverall interior width and height of the module 3900. As depicted inFIGS. 40 and 41, other slot orientations are also possible. FIG. 40 is aperspective view of a storage module 4000 including severalvertically-oriented slots 4002, while FIG. 41 depicts a storage module4100 including diagonal slots 4102. In some cases, only a portion of amodule may include slots for storing tablets. For example, in someembodiments, one or more modules may include at least a part that isfree of slots, or the entire module can be substantially empty, forgeneral storage if so desired.

As discussed above, one or more of the slots in a tablet cart canoptionally have various types of connectors to connect a stored tabletto, e.g., a network connection system and/or to a power supply system.In some embodiments, one or more pigtail connection connectors and/or adocking station connectors may be provided. For example, a slot within atablet cart storage module may include one or more pigtail connectors ina manner similar to slots of the tablet storage rack embodimentsdiscussed above with respect to FIGS. 15-17. In some cases one or moreslots of a tablet cart may have one or more docking station connectorsin a manner similar to slots of the tablet storage rack embodimentsdiscussed above with respect to FIGS. 18A-18B. Other connection systemsare also possible, depending on need and these connection systems can bemade through an existing network connector, or through a dedicatedconnector. As just one example, a dedicated connector and/or connectionthrough an existing connector may be provided for a number of tablets toconnect to a host computer that can be controlled by a user.

Docking station connectors can be provided in any suitable format. FIGS.39 and 40 illustrate embodiments in which docking station connectors areprovided as part of a tray-like docking station 160 positioned withinthe slots 3902, 4002 of the modules 3900, 4000, respectively. FIG. 42 isa perspective view of the tray-shaped docking station 160 according tosome embodiments. As shown, the docking station 160 has, in this case,two docking station connectors 148. The docking station connectors 148can be connected to a network connection system and to a power supplysystem of a tablet cart through a printed circuit board assembly 404which can be located at the back of the docking station 160. In somecases the docking station connectors 148 may alternately connect to somesystems through electrical cables. The docking station 160 includesridges 408 located on the tray's bottom surface, and vents 320 locatedin the tray's bottom and side surfaces to facilitate air circulationthroughout the module and the tablet received in the docking station 160in order to more effectively cool tablets within the cart.

Docking stations, such as the docking station 160 in FIG. 42, can beprovided with any shape useful for automatically connecting one or moreof a tablet's ports with one or more docking station connectors as thetablet is entering into docking engagement with the docking station. Insome embodiments, the docking station has a shape adapted to conform tothe tablet; in other embodiments, the docking station is adapted tosupport two tablet surfaces, and thus control the orientation of atablet in order to establish correct tablet alignment of the ports withthe docking station connectors. For example, a docking station that isdiagonally oriented may engage one side surface and either the bottom ortop surface of a tablet to ensure correct alignment. As another example,a docking station may be adapted to engage with a one or moreasymmetrical features of a tablet, as discussed above with respect toFIG. 2. Referring again to FIG. 42, in some embodiments a dockingstation can use one or more spring biased pressure tabs 412 to ensurecorrect tablet alignment of a tablet within the docking station. Thus, adocking station can be configured to hold a tablet in a desired positionor orientation.

According to some embodiments, one or more docking stations (andincluded connectors) may be removable from tablet storage slots.Referring to FIG. 40, for example, in some cases one or more of thedocking stations 160 can be removed from the slots 4002 and replacedwith another docking station (not shown). Such functionality can beuseful when particular docking stations are only compatible with certaintypes or brands of tablets. In a similar manner, a pigtail connectionconnector that is adapted for a proprietary connector and pinarrangement may be removable so that it can be removed and replaced byanother pigtail connection connector that is adapted for use withanother tablet. Such interchangeability is useful in cases where onebrand of tablets are being phased out and are being replaced by anothertablet brand.

FIGS. 43 and 44 provide interior or cut-away views of modulesillustrating additional aspects of the electronics of some tabletstorage modules according to some embodiments. FIG. 43 shows oneembodiment of a module 4300 that includes a module equipment bay 4302that occupies some of the interior space within a module 4300. In thisembodiment, the equipment bay 4302 occupies the rear portion of themodule 4300 as viewed, and is positioned behind the tablet slots 4304and corresponding docking stations 4306, which are positioned in thefront of the module 4300 in a manner similar to the arrangement of slotsin the module 3900 illustrated in FIG. 39. The bay 4302 generally houseselectronics and other equipment that supports operation of the tabletcart, its modules, slots, and/or docking stations. In some cases theequipment within a particular module equipment bay may communicate andwork together with equipment in other modules and/or within an internalcompartment of the tablet cart, such as is depicted and described abovewith respect to FIGS. 30-31.

Returning to FIG. 43, in this embodiment the equipment bay 4302 includesa fan 4308, which is disposed in an outer surface of the module 4300 tofacilitate air exchange between the interior and the exterior of themodule. The bay 4302 can also have one or more vents 4310 that can beprovided in the module body to facilitate air circulation into, and outof, the module. Vents can also be provided in the wall structure of thestorage and connection slot 4304, and as described above, vents 4312 canalso be located in docking stations 4306 to help promote air circulationwithin the module. FIG. 43 also illustrates transformers 4314 within themodule bay 4302 and the tablet connectors 4316 on the docking station4306.

FIG. 44 shows another embodiment of a module 4400 that illustrates bothanother configuration of the equipment within a module bay, as well asan alternate layout of the bay within the module. 4400. The module 4400includes a module equipment bay 4402 that occupies some of the interiorspace within a module 4400. In this embodiment, the equipment bay 4402occupies the rear portion of the module 4400 as viewed, and ispositioned behind the tablet slots 4404 and corresponding dockingstations within the slots, which are positioned in the front of themodule 4400 in a vertical orientation similar to the arrangement ofslots in the module 4000 illustrated in FIG. 40. Circuit boardassemblies 4405 of each docking station can be seen at the back of theslots 4404. In this case the module 4400 also includes doors 4406 andtracks 4408 similar to the module embodiment shown in FIGS. 38A-38C.

Returning to FIG. 44, the module bay 4402 includes a wired router 4410that is included as part of a network connection system. The bay 4402can also house a combined power supply 4412 (and one or moretransformer(s) 4414, if required), or a plurality of individual powersupplies (not shown). The individual power supplies and the combinedpower supply (as well as any provided smart charging logic), function ashas been described earlier in this disclosure.

Of course, many other configurations for module equipment bays are alsopossible and it should be appreciated that the scope of this disclosureis not limited to any particular equipment configuration. As just a fewexamples, various configurations of power supply equipment and/ornetwork connection equipment can be provided within a module equipmentbay.

Turning to FIGS. 45-47, schematic views of three possible embodiments ofconnector arrangements between storage modules 4500 and a tablet cartframe 4502 are shown. FIG. 45 shows one embodiment in which cartconnectors can be pigtail-type connectors 4504 extending from internalcompartment 4505 within the frame 4502. As can be appreciated, thelocation of the internal compartment 4505 in FIG. 45 (as well as inFIGS. 46-47) is only shown schematically, and it can be physicallylocated in the generally horizontal portion of the cart, so as to becompatible with a cart frame that includes a wheeled base. Theconnectors 4504 are connected to ports 4506 on each module 4500. Forthis configuration, room is sometimes needed between the cart frame 4502and the modules 4500, so that a user can reach in between the two inorder to make the connection. Thus, in some cases a service loop ofcable extending from connectors 4504 may be included so that connectors4504 can reach ports 4506 while the modules are set back far enough fora user to reach in.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 46, docking style connectors are used asthe cart connectors 4604. In this embodiment, docking style connectors4604 are electrically connected with associated electrical equipmentwithin internal compartment 4605 and extend horizontally from thevertical portion 4603 of the frame 4602 in order to meet with ports 4606which can include a cavity to receive the connector. Ports can bepositioned on modules 4600 such that a port is aligned with acorresponding connector when the module 4600 is located on the cart. Theconnectors 4604 are configured to connect automatically with a moduleport 4606 when the docking connector is positioned in the port (forexample, when a module is translated towards the vertical portion 4603).In this embodiment, the ports 4606 can be connected with the connectors4604 as the modules are placed into the frame 4602 and moved closer tothe vertical portion 4603, for example, as explained above using themovable tray and as depicted in FIGS. 26A-26C. (Of course, theembodiments depicted in FIGS. 26A-26C could also use pigtail-typeconnectors.)

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 47, docking style connectors are used asthe cart connectors 4704. In this embodiment, the modules 4700 areplaced one on top of another and on top of the cart frame 4702, and inso doing, the port 4706 of one module can be docked with thecorresponding docking connector 4704 of another module. For thisembodiment, the network connection system, the power supply system, andany additional electronic distribution network that is in use, can alsobe adapted to include a feed-through portion. For example, some of theelectrical power and electronic signals that are transmitted through theconnection from the cart to module “A” includes a feed-through portion.The feed-through portion is then transmitted through the connection frommodule “A” to module “B,” while the remainder portion of the electricalpower and electronic signals that are transmitted through the connectionfrom the cart to module “A” is used for the tablets within module “A.”Likewise, some of the electrical power and electronic signals that aretransmitted through the connection from module “A” to module “B” alsoincludes a feed-through portion. The feed-through portion is thentransmitted through the connection from module “B” to module “C,” whilethe remainder portion of the electrical power and electronic signalsthat are transmitted through the connection from module “A” to module“B” is used for the tablets within module “B.” FIGS. 30 and 31illustrate one example of a docking style cart connector 3002 on thewheeled base 280. The connector 3002 is formed as a type of plug thatcould be received within a corresponding socket or port on the bottom ofa storage module in the manner depicted in FIG. 47.

To complement the adjustable configuration of multiple modules asdepicted in the examples in FIGS. 45-47, in some embodiments, a tabletcart may include a network connection system, a power supply system, andother electronic distribution network components that are configured todynamically adapt to a changing number of modules on a cart. Forexample, if less than three modules, or more than three modules areplaced on the cart, the systems could function equally well to supplytablets within each of the modules that are stacked on the cart.

According to some embodiments, a tablet cart may be provided with agrounding system in order to ground the electrical system of the cartand reduce the risk of unwanted electrical charge build-up. FIG. 48illustrates a cart 116 with a grounding system 424 in accordance withone possible embodiment. In this case, the cart 116 includes a groundingstrap 428 attached to the lower portion of the cart and adapted tocontact the ground as the cart is moved. The grounding strap 428 can bepositioned in any of a number of locations along the bottom of the cart,though it may preferably be in a location that will not interfere with auser moving the cart and still maintain electrical contact with theground. Grounding strap 428 can have any of a number of frictionreducing or wear reducing features (e.g. integrated metal wheels withinthe strap, or a wear plate) such that the strap can maintain electricalcontact with the ground while maximizing its service life.

Continuing with reference to FIG. 48, other embodiments of a groundingsystem can include a grounding ring 432, which can be electricallyconnected to the grounding system and located along the contact surfaceof one or more of the cart wheels 308. The electrical grounding system424 can be electrically connected to the cart 116 as well as to anymodule(s) thereon and can thus provide an electrical grounding pathwhich can reduce the likelihood of shock. The electrical groundingsystem 424 can have electrical connections to any desirable electricalcomponents within the tablet cart 116, including a cart handle, adisplay housing, and/or through the module connectors to the modules.Within the modules, the electrical grounding system 424 can beelectrically connected to the module door assembly, the module handles,the module slots, and/or to docking stations within the slots.Accordingly, the grounding system 424 can provide a means to dissipatestray electrical charges that may have accumulated, and provide forconvenient discharge of static electricity that may have built up oneither a user or the cart.

As mentioned above, in some embodiments a tablet cart may have one ormore tablet storage modules with an optional, built-in locking mechanismthat allows one or more doors of the storage module to be secured whenclosed, thus securing any tablets that are stored within the module.Examples of locking doors are illustrated in the tablet cart embodimentsdepicted in FIGS. 28 and 32A-33B, though it should be appreciated thatany tablet storage module with one or more closable doors may include alocking mechanism. A keyed locking mechanism is shown in the embodimentsdepicted in FIGS. 28 and 32A-33B, however, it should be appreciated thatany suitable type of locking mechanism known in the art may be used tosecurely close one or more doors on a tablet cart storage module.

Turning to FIGS. 49A-51D, some embodiments may also or instead includelocking mechanisms for locking one or more storage modules to a tabletcart frame. In some cases the locking mechanisms may be provided as acentral locking mechanism and/or as a locking mechanism integratedwithin individual modules.

FIGS. 49A-49B illustrate one possible example of a central lockingmechanism for securing tablet storage modules. As shown, a centrallocking mechanism 4900 is used, which can move from an open position, asdepicted in FIG. 49A, to a closed position, as depicted in FIG. 49B. Thecentral locking mechanism 4900 can be provided in the vertical portion4902 of the cart frame and can include a combination of latches 4904(for example, three), one for each module, that can engage with a keeper4906 (sometimes also called a strike) that can be provided on eachmodule. All the latches can be operated in unison by a cable system, orby rigid linkages, so that each latch engages with, or disengages from,a mating keeper at approximately the same time. In other embodiments,each latch can be individually controlled, again by cables or rigidlinkages. The central mechanism can be provided with a lock such thatonce the latches are engaged with keepers, the lock can be used toprevent unauthorized users from moving the mechanism to the openposition.

FIGS. 50A-50B illustrate one possible example of a localized lockingmechanism for securing tablet storage modules. As shown in FIG. 50A,each of modules 5000 include a locking mechanism 5002 that includes alatch 5004. Each module 5000 also includes a cooperating handle 5006that includes a receptacle for receiving the latch 5004 from an adjacentmodule. Module handles 5006 can rotate up to engage a locking mechanism5002 located in an adjacent module as depicted in FIGS. 50A-50B. A keyedlock 5008 or other type of lock can be used to secure the latch 5004 inan open or closed position. According to some embodiments, tablet cartsthat use this type of locking mechanism can include a cooperatingstructure on the cart frame (e.g., on the horizontal portion) thatengages with the bottom-most storage module in a similar manner.

FIGS. 51A-51D illustrate another example of a localized lockingmechanism including a locking bar mechanism for securing tablet storagemodules. In this embodiment, a catch 448 of a first module engages witha slot 450 of a second module (or of the cart frame in the case of abottom-most module directly adjacent the cart frame), when the firstmodule is translationally placed on top of the second module. A lockingmechanism 272 can be provided with a keyed portion 440 located behind arotating panel 442. As can be seen from FIGS. 51B-51C, when the keyedportion 440 is rotated counter clockwise, the first connecting linkage444 also rotates counter clockwise from a horizontal position to avertical position. This movement causes the second connecting linkage446 to extend further downwards, which causes the latch to rotate from avertical (or closed) position to a horizontal (or open) position. Whenin the vertical (or closed) position, the latch 274 can engage with akeeper 270 of the second module (or of the cart frame) located below.The combination of the engagement of both the latch 274 and the catch448 prevents the first module from moving relative to the second module(or of the cart frame). This is because the catch prevents the firstmodule from being lifted, and the latch prevents the module from beingtranslated relative to the second module (or of the cart frame).

Thus, some embodiments of the invention are disclosed. Although theinvention has been described in considerable detail with reference tocertain disclosed embodiments, the disclosed embodiments are presentedfor purposes of illustration and not limitation and other embodiments ofthe invention are possible. One skilled in the art will appreciate thatvarious changes, adaptations, and modifications may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appendedclaims.

1. (canceled)
 2. A tablet storage device for mounting to a verticalsurface, the device comprising: a frame having a surface to attach tothe vertical surface, the frame defining a plurality of slots, at leastone of the plurality of slots adapted to hold a tablet such that theframe is adapted to hold at least one tablet, the at least one of theplurality of slots having a surface that is at an angle between about 10degrees and about 35 degrees relative to the vertical surface; a powersupply system for charging the at least one tablet; and a networkconnection system for providing a network connection to the at least onetablet.
 3. The tablet storage device of claim 2, comprising: at leastone door attached to the frame, the at least one door having an openposition and a closed position, the at least one door having a doorsurface that is parallel to the vertical surface when in the closedposition.
 4. The tablet storage device of claim 3, wherein the at leastone door is adapted to be locked.
 5. The tablet storage device of claim3, wherein: the plurality of slots are arranged in a plurality of rowsand at least two columns; and the at least one door being adapted toretain each tablet held within a row of slots when the door is in theclosed position.
 6. The tablet storage device of claim 2, comprising: adocking station disposed in at least one slot, the docking stationhaving a connector, the docking station configured to align a tablet asthe tablet is positioned in the slot such that a corresponding port inthe tablet aligns with, and connects to, the connector.
 7. The tabletstorage device of claim 2, comprising: a first docking station disposedin at least one slot, the first docking station having a connector, thefirst docking station configured to align a first tablet as the firsttablet is positioned in the slot such that a corresponding port in thefirst tablet aligns with and connects to the connector, wherein the atleast one slot is further adapted such that the first docking stationcan be replaced by a second docking station, the second docking stationadapted for use with a second tablet not compatible with the firstdocking station.
 8. The tablet storage device of claim 2, wherein thenetwork connection system includes a wireless transmitter.
 9. The tabletstorage device of claim 2, wherein: at least one slot is further adaptedto hold a small electronic device; and at least one door attached to theframe, the at least one door adapted to retain the small electronicdevice within the at least one slot when the door is in the closedposition.
 10. The tablet storage device of claim 2, wherein at least oneslot has a notched portion to facilitate positioning and removal of atleast one tablet.
 11. The tablet storage device of claim 2, wherein theframe has a front compartment positioned under the plurality of slots,the front compartment permitting access to components of the networkconnection system and components of the power supply system.
 12. Thetablet storage device of claim 1, wherein the vertical surface is awall.
 13. The tablet storage device of claim 1, wherein the verticalsurface is a column.
 14. The tablet storage device of claim 1, whereinthe vertical surface is a post.
 15. A tablet storage device for mountingto a vertical surface, the device comprising: a frame having a surfaceto attach to the vertical surface, the frame defining a plurality ofslots, at least one of the plurality of slots adapted to hold a tabletsuch that the frame is adapted to hold at least one tablet, the at leastone of the plurality of slots having a surface that is at an anglebetween about 10 degrees and about 35 degrees relative to the verticalsurface; and a power supply system for charging the at least one tablet.16. The tablet storage device of claim 15, comprising: at least one doorattached to the frame, the at least one door having an open position anda closed position, the at least one door having a door surface that isparallel to the vertical surface when in the closed position.
 17. Thetablet storage device of claim 16, wherein the at least one door isadapted to be locked.
 18. The tablet storage device of claim 15,comprising: a docking station disposed in at least one slot, the dockingstation having a connector, the docking station configured to align atablet as the tablet is positioned in the slot such that a correspondingport in the tablet aligns with, and connects to, the connector.
 19. Atablet storage device for mounting to a vertical surface, the devicecomprising: a frame having a surface to attach to the vertical surface,the frame defining a plurality of slots, at least one of the pluralityof slots adapted to hold a tablet such that the frame is adapted to holdat least one tablet, the at least one of the plurality of slots having asurface that is at an angle between about 10 degrees and about 35degrees relative to the vertical surface; a power supply system forcharging the at least one tablet; and a docking station disposed in atleast one slot, the docking station having a connector, the dockingstation configured to align a tablet as the tablet is positioned in theslot such that a corresponding port in the tablet aligns with, andconnects to, the connector.